After the wars of independence, Scotland became by many accounts a lawless state, with many nobles vying for power. One such noble was Alexander, Master (later to be Earl) of Crawford (also known as the "Tiger Earl" or "Earl Beardie"). Lindsay was created the "justicar" or law-keeper of the area by the local monks of the abbey. Due to the Lindsay's lewd character, he was later removed from this office, and replaced by Alexander Ogilvie of Inverquharty. The Master of Lindsay disputed his right to this office, and after attempts at peaceful reconcilliation, the nobles decided to have battle.
On Sunday, the 24th of January of 1446, the Master of Crawford drove appoximately 1000 of his men, including a contingent of the Hamilton's of Clydesdale (ally's of the Lindsay's,) north towards the abbey to "demand satisfaction" from the Ogilvie's. The Ogilvie's present were quite few in number, having only a few noblemen present to assist them, including Sir Alexander Seton of Gordon, Brucklay of Gartley, Forbes of Pitsligo, Gordon of Borrowfield, and Sir John Oliphant of Aberdalgie. These men, along with their attendants, accompanied the Ogilvies (whom they were visiting,) to battle. The Ogilvies and their ally's were heavily outnumbered, however no one shyed from the fray. The battle lines were drawn, and before the battle was to commence, the Earl of Crawford himself (the father of Alexander, Master of Crawford) rode in between the combatants, apparently to mediate a truce, and avoid the battle. However, an illadvised Ogilvie, thinking that this was the start of the Lindsay's attack, threw his spear at the Earl, hitting him in the mouth and killing him instantly.
Thus began the battle. Along with their superior numbers, the Lindsays added to the rout by the use of strategy. A captain of the Lindsays yelled out as the battle begun "why do you bring those goads (long spears) with you...? Pray, throw them away, and let us fight it out with our swords, hand to hand, by true valour, as becomes men". At this challenge, men on both sides threw down their spears, except a hundred of the men from Clydesdale, who concealed them by dragging them behind their backs by the point. As the Ogilvie's approached, the Clydesdale men surprised the Ogilvie clansmen with the additional weapons, thus worsening the rout. However, the Ogilvies and their ally's fought bravely, rallying at the village of Leysmill 3 miles from the battle site, at which point they turned and attacked their pursuers once again. Here fell Ogilvie of Inverquharty, Forbes of Pitsligo, Brucklay of Gartley, Gordon of Borrowfield, and Oliphant of Aberdalgie, along with 500 or so Ogilvie's. However, the Lindsays lost a disproportionate amount of men, most notably the Earl himself. Click here to see the original transcript of the Battle, as according to the Hamilton family of Panmure. |
